‘Every Day Is a Bonus’ – Princess Anne reflects on horse accident

A rare interview with The King's sister

In a heartfelt interview, The Princess Royal opened up about a suspected horse accident and the resulting injury she sustained in June 2024. Speaking to PA Media at the conclusion of her two-day visit to South Africa — her first overseas engagement of 2025 — Princess Anne offered rare insights into the incident, its aftermath, and the life lessons it taught her.

Princess Anne undertook a visit to the South African Riding for the Disabled Association. (Royal Family)

The Princess undertook a visit to the South African Riding for the Disabled Association. (Royal Family)

Reflecting on the moments leading up to the accident, the Princess admitted that her memory of the event remains unclear. “I can’t recall the last thing I remember,” she said. “I know where I thought I was going, and that was to see the chickens—nothing to do with horses. I don’t have any idea what I was doing in the field, because I never normally went that way. It just reminds you — shows you — you never quite know when something might happen, and you might not recover.”

When the accident occurred on her Gatcombe Park estate in Gloucestershire, Princess Anne received immediate medical attention at the scene before being transferred to Southmead Hospital in Bristol. There, she spent five nights under treatment and observation. The incident forced her to step back from royal duties for nearly three weeks—the first significant pause in her relentless schedule in recent memory.

Throughout her recovery, Anne was supported by her husband, Vice-Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, who accompanied her to the hospital and visited regularly during her stay.

Commander Tim Laurence and Princess Anne smile after their marriage at Crathie Kirk, near Balmoral in December 1992

Speaking about the potential long-term impact of the injury, the Princess joked: “Apparently not—at least I don’t think so. As far as I know, nobody else thinks so either — or they haven’t been honest enough to tell me yet. So far, so good. You are sharply reminded that every day is a bonus, really.”

Anne reflected on the accident as a humbling experience and a reminder of life’s unpredictability. “It shows how quickly things can change,” she said. “Every day is a bonus.”

Image Licensed to i-Images Picture Agency. 17/02/2022. London, United Kingdom. Prince Charles and Princess Anne at a reception after presenting the Queen's Anniversary Prizes for higher and further education during a ceremony at St James's Palace in London. Picture by i-Images / Pool

Image Licensed to i-Images Picture Agency. 17/02/2022. London, United Kingdom. Prince Charles and Princess Anne at a reception after presenting the Queen’s Anniversary Prizes for higher and further education during a ceremony at St James’s Palace in London. Picture by i-Images / Pool

Despite the setback, Princess Anne shows no signs of slowing down or stepping back from her royal duties. When asked if retirement might be on the horizon, she responded firmly: “It really isn’t written in, no. It isn’t really an option, no, I don’t think so. You’re jolly lucky if you can continue to be more or less compos mentis. Last summer, I was very close to not being. Take each day as it comes, they say.”

This isn’t the first time Anne has spoken about the future having previously been sceptical about her brother’s plans for a slimmed down Monarchy. She previously expressed scepticism about her brother King Charles III’s vision of a slimmed-down royal family. In a past interview, she remarked, “It doesn’t sound like a good idea from where I’m standing, I have to say.” Reflecting on the comment, she added that her brother’s perspective had been shaped by a time when “there were a few more people around to make that seem like a justifiable comment.”

The Princess Royal is known for her unwavering dedication to her role. In 2024, she once again earned her title as the hardest-working royal, completing an impressive 474 engagements across the UK and overseas, despite her mid-year injury.

At 74, the Princess Royal remains a model of resilience and dedication. Her reflections on her accident and recovery not only highlight her indomitable spirit but also serve as a reminder of her central role in the modern monarchy.

As Anne herself put it: “Take each day as it comes. You never know what might happen—but you carry on.”

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